To what extent was 'the new imperialism' a reflection of developments in 19th century Europe?

) To what extent was 'the new imperialism' a reflection of developments in 19th century Europe? The term "new imperialism" refers to an era of imperial colonial expansion which was adopted, by a number of nations, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries; approximately from the end of the Franco-Prussian War to the beginning of World War I (c. 1871 - 1914)1. It was during this period of imperialism that the European powers ended up physically controlling almost the rest of the world. The reasons and causes of "new imperialism" had long been debated by scholars and one could argue that the basis of "new imperialism" was generally due to the various developments that Europe was undergoing in the 19th century. The developments of Europe in the 19th century could be broadly categorized into the following aspects: social, economic and political developments. One of the major economic developments in Europe in the 19th century was the Industrial Revolution. It could be argued that the "new imperialism" was to a large extent, a reflection of such a development. The Industrial Revolution inevitably led to several results-an increase in population, increased demands for food supplies and raw materials, and an excess of home-produced goods arising from the mass production through the use of technology. All these factors meant that the European nations had to look for

  • Word count: 1659
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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How far do these sources support the view that there was little difference between the aims and political principles of Gladstone and Disraeli between 1867 and 1885?

a) How far do these sources support the view that there was little difference between the aims and political principles of Gladstone and Disraeli between 1867 and 1885? These sources do show, to a certain extent, that there was little difference between Gladstone and Disraeli between 1867-1885. The two characters differed in policy, yet they were very similar men of their time in their principles. Examples of these similarities were maintenance of the British empire and health conditions-as stated in source B, '...the first consideration of a minister should be health of the people' from Disraeli's speech. H. C. G Matthews suggests in source A, that in Gladstone's mind, he viewed that 'minimal interference' was the best government. This is closely linked to Disraeli's letter to Cross, stating that, 'we came in on the principle of not harassing the country'. This suggests that both Disraeli and Gladstone had very similar aims, yet used different methods depending on the context and years in which both Gladstone and Disraeli became Prime Ministers. One striking difference between Gladstone and Disraeli was that they had contradictory aims which consisted of 'upholding the Empire of England' (source B part ii-Disraeli's speech at the Crystal Palace) and yet preserving the 'nations of the world...the blessings of peace (Source C-Gladstone's third Midlothian speech).

  • Word count: 1045
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Taxation Without Representation

Taxation Without Representation Anthony Milbut American History I Professor Ken Rodgers This paper will explain the major areas of disagreement between the American colonists and British policy makers that developed during the period 1763 to 1776. To understand the major disagreements between the two parties, it is first essential to understand their immediate background. This establishes a foundation for their disagreements, and offers further insight as to why they may not have seen eye to eye. The Seven Years' War, involving Britain, had just come to an end in 1763 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Overall, Britain emerged victorious, now holding the rights to the majority of the land east of the Mississippi River. However, this victory did not come without a cost, as Britain now had to deal with a substantial war debt and the incurred responsibilities of their new land. "During the Seven Years' War William Pitt brought America, for the first time, fully under British control."1 (Brinkley, 2007) Pitt tried to employ his crude methods, where as the Americans had been accustomed to doing things their own way. It was during this year long reign that Pitt incited much resistance from the American colonists; an attitude that would later establish the trend for American response to British policy. The first of many taxes, as part of Britain's new imperial

  • Word count: 698
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Civil War Reconstruction

The Reconstruction period that followed the Civil War was on of the most difficult times in the country's history. The road to reconstruction was bumpy and a bit ridged at times due to many problems that the country had to face such as the constant tension between the President and Congress, financial struggles, civil rights for the new newly freed Americans, failed Acts by Congress and much more. Despite all the obstacles in the way there were some shreds of light that came out of that dark time period. The Fourteenth, Fifteenth Amendments and several Acts passed by Congress helped try to improve life during this difficult period in time. This era of Reconstruction ended with the Compromise of 1877. This totally left the lower-class whites open to upper class land owners. The Compromise of 1877 also destroyed one of the main goals of the Civil War which was to be free and protect the African Americans. The African Americans were free but left unprotected without civil or political rights. Reconstruction was still unsuccessful by 1877. One of the beginning obstacles that the country faced was the struggle for power between the President Lincoln and Congress. This controversy definitely slowed the Reconstruction. Trying to reconstruct the south back into the Union was one of the most difficult challenges American policy has ever had to face. The Constitution

  • Word count: 1485
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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What were the motives behind the passing of the 1867 Reform Act?

What were the motives behind the passing of the 1867 Reform Act? The passing of the second reform act was more the result of two men's personal hatred the will of the People. Indeed, the public's deep disinterest issue allowed for party feuds, betrayals and rash plans to flourish at Westminster, as middle-class Radicals campaigned loudly outside. William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli had declared war on each other years earlier, but the passing of the second reform act was to be heir greatest clash yet and in the heat of the battle all sense of proportion and reason was lost, giving the Radicals what they had been wanting for years and which the nation had forgotten about for half a generation. As such, the act was also slightly to do with widespread demand by the working class. One explanation of the odd sequence of events has stressed the renewed pressure from the working class, whose position had suddenly worsened with the onset of a period of depression. A wave of speculation, encouraged by eh Limited Liability Act of 1862, led in May 1866 to the failure of one of the greatest financial houses in London, Overend and Gurney. This involved the collapse of many other enterprises and the consequent growth of unemployment was accompanied by a rise in fuel prises, owing to a bad harvest in the autumn and an outbreak of rinderpest among the cattle by the previous year.

  • Word count: 1107
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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How and Why did Disraeli Pass the Second Reform Act?

Hannah Seldon How and Why did Disraeli Pass the Second Reform Act? The Second Reform Act was passed in 1867, and was initiated by Benjamin Disraeli, a Whig. In this essay I am going to try and discover how and why the Second Reform Act was passed. The aim of the Second Reform Act was to redistribute parliamentary seats more equally. It also enfranchised adult males householders living in boroughs and male lodgers paying £10 for unfurnished rooms. This gave approximately 1 500 000 men the right to vote. Before the second Reform Act was passed Gladstone had tried to pass a Bill in March 1866. His aim was to give 'the industrious working classes the right to vote', (1) whilst still retaining an aristocratic rule. His proposal was to give £7 householders in towns and £14 tenants in counties the right to vote, as well as some additional franchises for example an additional vote for those who saved £50 at Gladstone's Post Office Saving Scheme. This Bill would have only added 400 000 voters to the register. Gladstone's Bill was unsuccessful because it was not radical enough and immediately faced problems as dissident Whigs did not agree with its terms, for example Robert Lowe believed that because the working classes were uneducated they might not vote wisely. This could be partly because he feared they would vote against him, as he was an MP for Calne.

  • Word count: 650
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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What were the aims and objectives of Gladstone's Policy in Ireland and were they successful?

What were the aims and objectives of Gladstone's Policy in Ireland and were they successful? Daniel Nuth Professor Mansergh once wrote, `the condition of Ireland in the middle years of the nineteenth century, or at least all of it outside Ulster, dismayed and distressed those who saw it - from Italian nationalists to Communist internationalists, to Frenchmen Germans, Americans and by no means least, to Englishmen, whether economist, officials or ordinary voyagers'. English rule in Ireland, whether by coercion or conciliation, had been a failure - illustrated above all in Irish eyes by its unsympathetic response to the tragedy of the famine. Some Englishmen, like John bright, sought to right Ireland's wrongs but most politicians, like Disraeli, saw Ireland as a problem best avoided or ignored. Gladstone, imbued with a strong moral, proved the exception. He sought to remove Irish grievances so that Englishmen might be able to look their fellow Europeans in the face. Gladstone's primary aim was in his own words to `pacify the Irish' but Dr Hammond offers a more detailed view of his objectives. According to Hammond Gladstone's objective was to `change the English temper towards Ireland, to shake fundamental view of property and economics and to overcome all the prejudices that estranged men divided by race, religion and history.' His biographer Magnus wrote

  • Word count: 1868
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Did the lives and status of women change as a result of the industrial revolution in the period 1750-1850?

Did the lives and status of women change as a result of the industrial revolution in the period 1750-1850? The industrial revolution, with the development of new technologies, a centralisation of manufacture and an increasing focus on capitalist production, was bound to have far-reaching implications throughout the country. Therefore, this is not so much a question of whether or not change occurred but how much change occurred and whether it had a positive or negative effect on women, and also how much remained the same. Regional differences, as well as variations from industry to industry, and from year to year, must also be taken into account. In order to answer this question fully, the general way of life pre-industrialisation must be explored. During the eighteenth century, families often worked together as an economic unit, producing goods for subsistence and possibly also to sell or exchange. There was an idea dating back to the Tudor and Stuart period that everybody should work together for "one common interest"¹, therefore women and men worked together, both contributing to the family economy. Although men were looked upon as the head of the family, and women were given possibly lesser tasks and responsibilities, at least they gave a "different yet equally indispensable contribution"², and were reliant upon the other for the interests of the family.

  • Word count: 0
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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how far can you say that napoleon is the son of the revolution

How far can you say that Napoleon is the "son" of the revolution? On 15th August 1769 Napoleon Bonaparte the son of a poor Corsican lawyer was born and so began the legend of Napoleon Bonaparte. Many ask to this day, "Was Napoleon the son of the revolution?" What Napoleon achieved and gave to the world after the French Revolution had been won truly gave the world a new sight of mind. All over Europe monarchies were weakening but it was still unclear what forms of government would replace the old order of the ancien regime. One form was that of "enlightened despotism," which Napoleon represented himself as a dictator. He set off useful reforms and had a very open minded point of view. Yet Napoleon did not keep his power through his home policies alone. He was a master strategist on the battlefield and a master at international consultations. Napoleon repeatedly won both military and political victories. Even though he wasn't that religious, he succeeded in reconciling France and the Catholic Church in the Concordat of 1801. As a child of the Enlightenment and a son of the French Revolution, Napoleon was at the same time a traditional monarch, taking on all the display and paperwork of the monarchic traditions with a revolution bringing wide and long term changes to the regions under his rule. In declaring himself as an Emperor in 1804, Napoleon made all French citizens

  • Word count: 590
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Colonial Australia: History of convicts

WHY TRANSPORTION TO BOTANY BAY - FOR CONVICTS? There were numerous reasons why the British established what became their colony in Sydney. Look at each reason based on Robert J. King's crystalisation in his brilliant work, "The Secret History of the Convict Colony" about Alexandro Malaspino's report on the British settlement of New South Wales. In any consideration of the issues on this subject this work should be seriously referenced with much admiration. King's work would better be quoted than another work as to the reasons "Why Botany Bay?" Too many lazy academics simplify the answer to this question by merely citing a contemporary British Cabinet Minute seeking and, on approval, the authorisation for the transportation of convicts to Botany Bay. That document was not a stand-alone action; it merely follows on from a part of the submission of Mario Matra, who incidentally suggested other options as well, all aimed at settling Botany Bay for British interests. Other options included the recruitment of Chinese Coolies and resettlement of American Loyalists. The influence of the powerful, Captain Sir George Young was paramount in the passage of Matra's proposal. According to King, Matra with embellishments by the politically significant and powerful Sir George Young cited; . A base from which to exploit the fur trade of the Aleutian Islands 2. Trade with China, the Cape

  • Word count: 2719
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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